White House Historical Association Awards Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship to Iowa State University’s Alexandra Connor

Jan 31, 2019 Washington, D.C. —

January 31, 2019 (Washington, D.C.) — The White House Historical Association and David M. Rubenstein, in partnership with Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University and the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), have awarded Alexandra Connor the 2018 Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship in Print Journalism. Connor will receive $5,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. this spring.

During her D.C. trip, Connor will attend the 2019 White House Correspondents’ Dinner and will be included among the WHCA scholarship winners honored at the dinner. She will meet with other members of the WHCA and other scholarship winners.

The scholarship was established to support aspiring journalists at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University who demonstrate an extraordinary understanding of the responsibilities of covering the presidency. It honors the late Hugh S. Sidey, a native of Greenfield, Iowa, who covered 10 presidents over 48 years at TIME magazine. He served for a decade on the Board of Directors at the White House Historical Association, which established the scholarship in his name after his death in 2005.

Connor, a native of Davenport, Iowa, will graduate in 2019 with a degree in journalism and mass communication, with a minor in political science. She currently serves as the editor-in-chief of the Iowa State Daily. She has previously completed internships with USA TODAY in McLean, VA and The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, IA. She hopes to eventually work as a political reporter at a daily metro or national publication.

Connor’s winning essay, titled “The Precedent of the President,” recalls the values of good journalism that Sidey embodied, and discusses how they face the challenges of a new politically divisive and polarized news environment.

“I am honored to continue the legacy of prestige by previous Hugh Sidey scholars, as well as Hugh Sidey himself,” Connor said. “In being selected for this scholarship, I am able to continue my academic studies at Iowa State and truly focus on what energizes me — doing great journalism. I am so honored that, at some level, I can leave my mark on the legacy of Hugh Sidey and the Greenlee School of Journalism.”

“We are delighted to award Alexandra Connor with the 2019 Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship," said Stewart D. McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. “She exemplifies the bright and motivated students that participate in this wonderful opportunity in honor of the late Hugh Sidey.”

“We are thrilled to be able to host Alexandra at the 2019 White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner this spring,” said Olivier Knox, president of the WHCA. “We are proud to partner with the White House Historical Association on this scholarship opportunity and hopeful that it will be a stepping stone to even greater things for this young journalist.”

“The Greenlee School uses a blind process for selection. We were thrilled with the outcome and so grateful to be able to offer this opportunity to one of our students each year,” said Angela Powers, Director and Professor of Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.

The Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship in Print Journalism at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication was established in 2006 at Sidey’s alma mater, Iowa State University by the White House Historical Association and David M. Rubenstein.

Learn more about the Hugh S. Sidey Scholarship here.

Read this year's winning essay.

For media inquiries, please contact press@whha.org.